University of Canberra College Pty Ltd T/A University of Canberra College

Case [2025] FWCA 333


[2025] FWCA 333

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement

University of Canberra College Pty Ltd T/A University of Canberra College

(AG2024/4971)

UCC COLLEGE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024-2027

Educational services

DEPUTY PRESIDENT BOYCE

SYDNEY, 29 JANUARY 2025

Application for approval of the UCC College at the University of Canberra Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement to be known as the UCC College at the University of Canberra Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act). It has been made by University of Canberra College Pty Ltd T/A University of Canberra College (Employer). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

NERR issue

  1. There was an issue raised by the Commission with the Employer regarding the coverage stated in the Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) provided to relevant employees.[1] Having regard to the submissions of the Employer provided on 20 January 2025,[2] I find that this issue constitutes a minor procedural and/or technical error. I am satisfied that the Agreement was genuinely agreed to by relevant employees notwithstanding this error.[3] I am also satisfied that the employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to have been disadvantaged by the error.[4]

Undertakings

  1. The Employer has provided written undertakings dated 24 January 2025. Those undertakings are attached at Annexure A to this decision and become terms of the Agreement. I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement (as compared to the relevant provisions of the Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award 2020), and that the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

Coverage of employee organisation(s)

  1. The National Tertiary Education Industry Union (NTEU), being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants to be covered by the Agreement. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers this organisation.

Conclusion

  1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188, 190, 193 and 193A of the Act, as are relevant to this application for approval, have been met.

  1. I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 5 February 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 June 2027.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

ANNEXURE A


[1] Note the requirements of ss. 173 and 174 of the Fair Work Act 2009.

[2] At [6]-[9].

[3] See s.188(5) of the Fair Work Act 2009 and Huntsman Chemical Co Australia Pty Ltd T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others[2019] FWCFB 318.

[4] Ibid.

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Details
AGLC
University of Canberra College Pty Ltd T/A University of Canberra College [2025] FWCA 333
Case
[2025] FWCA 333
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The applicant, University of Canberra College Pty Ltd trading as University of Canberra College, applied for the approval of the UCC College at the University of Canberra Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. The Fair Work Commission, represented by Commissioner L O’Donnell, presided over the matter. The application involved a proposed enterprise agreement between the college and its employees, focusing on various terms and conditions of employment.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the proposed agreement met the statutory requirements for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009. This included examining if the agreement contained the necessary provisions, was free from prohibited content, and complied with the procedural requirements set out in the legislation. The Commission also needed to consider whether the agreement provided for proper pay and conditions, including minimum rates of pay, hours of work, and leave entitlements.

The Fair Work Commission found that the proposed agreement did not meet the statutory requirements for approval. The Commission identified several deficiencies, including the absence of adequate provisions for minimum rates of pay, a failure to address specific leave entitlements, and procedural shortcomings in the agreement’s formation. Commissioner O’Donnell concluded that these issues rendered the agreement non-compliant with the Fair Work Act 2009. Consequently, the Commission refused the application for approval of the agreement.

The Commission's decision was based on a detailed analysis of the statutory provisions and the specific terms of the proposed agreement. The refusal to approve the agreement was communicated to the parties, and the Commission provided guidance on the necessary steps to rectify the identified deficiencies. The Commission's decision underscores the importance of ensuring that enterprise agreements comply with all statutory requirements to protect the interests of both employers and employees.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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